As I have previously explained; there are several types of brain tumours and treatment can depend on the type of brain tumour, the size, the grade, its position and the patient’s general health. I thought I would try and outline how treatment would be done and what kind of treatment options there are for brain tumours.
A Multidisciplinary team (MDT) plans a brain tumour sufferer’s care. This team could include:
· A Neurosurgeon ( a doctor specialising in operating on the brain and nervous system
· A Neurologist (a doctor specialising in treated brain and nervous system related illness)
· A Clinical Oncologist (a doctor who specialises in treating cancer)
· A Specialist Nurse (trained to give information and support to brain tumour patients)
Before any treatment takes place, your doctor should sit you down and explain a treatment plan as clearly and as thoroughly as possible. You will usually have to sign a consent form to say you agree with the treatment plan and want it to go ahead. Before signing any forms you should make sure you are clear about:
· The type of treatment you are being advised to have
· The advantages and disadvantages of that particular treatment plan
· Any other types of treatment that may be of some benefit to you
· Any significant risks or side effects
Don’t feel embarrassed if you do not fully understand what is being said: it is a confusing and worrying time for you and it is fully understandable for you to be confused and scared. If you have questions then please do ask them and make sure you understand the answers. The MDT team are there to support you and give you the best shot at survival; they will be happy to answer your questions and try to put your mind at ease.
All of this information can be terrifying, please try not to face it alone. Take a loved one with you to these appointments. They can hold your hand, ask questions on your behalf and just be there to support you.
Please don’t feel you have to take your MDT’s word as gospel, you are entitled to get second opinions. You won’t be insulting anyone by asking them to refer you to another specialist. You do what is best for you and your survival.
Unfortunately, cancer treatments can cause side effects. It is really important to know what side effects to expect with your treatment plan. Ways of reducing and avoiding side effects are becoming more common over time but it is still important to prepare yourself and your loved ones for any possible effects.
Treatments:
ur Surgery is usually the first treatment involved with a primary brain tumour. If the tumour, or part of it, can be removed safely and without causing harm to brain tissue then it will normally be your first option.
· Radiotherapy is often used after surgery to help remove any cells that may have been left behind. With high grading tumours, radiotherapy is often advised even if all of it has been removed by surgery. Some low grade tumours such as gliomas may be treated with radiotherapy by itself. When surgery is not an option, radiotherapy is usually used as the main treatment.
· Chemotherapy can be used alongside radiotherapy to treat rare types of brain tumours such as lymphomas or germinomas
This blog post is fairly brief because I am very conscious of the fact that I am not medically trained. I do not want to give out any advice or treatment ideas that may not be doctor approved. I just want to outline the treatment process and give you a little understanding of how brain tumours can be treated. For more information, please visit the Cancer Research UK website or contact your doctor.
xxx
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